Woman faces life in prison for stopping car to help ducks and causing crash that kills two

A Montreal jury ruled Friday against a 25-year-old Quebec woman who was on trial for stopping her car on a busy highway to rescue some ducklings and causing a crash that killed a motorcyclist and his teenage daughter. Emma Czornobaj faces a maximum sentence of life in prison after she was found guilty on two counts of criminal negligence causing death and two counts of dangerous driving causing death.* Defense attorney Marc Labelle said Czornobaj was shocked by the verdict. He wondered how she could be found guilty of criminal negligence in the absence of other contributing factors. "This was not a race. This was not a person who took a chance and drove drunk," Labelle told the Montre al Gazetteafter the verdict. "This is not about someone who was speeding and took a risky maneuver."* Andre Roy, 50, and his daughter Jessie, 16, were killed when Roy’s Harley-Davidson chopper slammed into the rear of Czornobaj's Honda Civic on June 27, 2010. Seconds earlier Czornobaj, a financial analyst, had stopped her car in the left lane of a provincial highway in Candiac, south of Montreal, after she spotted a group of ducklings on the median, CTV News reporte d.She got out of her car and tired to herd the ducks into her car.* Roy’s wife Pauline Volikakis was injured when her Yamaha motorcycle also slammed into Czornobaj’s car.* Volikakis said Friday she did not blame Czornobaj. “My feelings are that it’s time that we go on,” she said, according to CTV. “I have no expectations but I don’t wish any ill will to anyone.”* Prosecutors wondered what Czornobaj was thinking when she stopped her car in a traffic lane, saying that it was not normal.* Czornobaj testified in her own defense. She said if the same thing were to happen today “I would not have stopped.”

Confab recommends death penalty for rapists of minors

THE National Conference has recommend death sentence to those found to have raped minors just as it recommended a life sentence to other rapists.* Delegates at Thursday’s plenary, while considering the report of the Conference Committee on Civil Society, Labour, Youths and Sports,chaired by Bola Ogunrinade,unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendation that death penalty be meted out to anyone found guilty of raping a minor.* They also unanimously agreed that any government official found guilty of embezzling public funds or monies meant for settling Pensioners be given life imprisonment.* The conference also proposed 50 years imprisonment for any judicial officer found guilty of corruption or abuse of office and to be stripped of all official entitlements.

'Why I named my twins Nollywood & Hollywood' - Ogedengbe reveals

Lanky actor and movie producer Femi Ogedengbe who welcomed a set of twins with his wife in May and named them Nollywood and Hollywood is still talking about why he chose the names for his son and daughter. Speaking with Encomium magazine this week, Femi explains; "The names are my own way of appreciating the industry that gave me a chance, that is Nollywood and the industry I aspire to breakthrough, Hollywood. I will simply say thank you to the people who criticized me for giving me attention. It shows they noticed me. Also it shows they left their own problems to respond to a guy with a very humble background from Dagbale Akoko Edo who grew up in the slums of Mushin. Furthermore, to those who say I am an attention seeker, I say thanks to them for granting me and my wife undue attention. Sadly it did not come with money"

Mystery solved: How much referees and players are set to earn during the World Cup

A paycheck at the end of the week is something all employees look forward to, but what can players and referees—who will have all eyes on them on the world’s biggest stage—expect to see on their checks? Well, one might be surprised.* Referees can make up to $50,000 for the month-long tournament, but only about ten official are expected to make this amount. In reality, the figure is relatively smaller (in 2006, most were paid $35,000) for each referee based on experience and fitness as well as which games they are in charge of officiating.* When it comes to players however, the variation is more significant, dependent on the type of player and what team he plays for.* However, each team is guaranteed $8 million dollars just for making it to Brazil -- a number decided by FIFA, and the same amount that teams received for making it to the World Cup in South Africa in 2010. So what is the average salary for everyone else? It was reported that the U.S.players would each be looking at getting at least $76,000. The Aussiesare each set to make $150,000 total when you take into account the match fees and prize money for being in the competition, regardless of results. Cameroonianplayers didn’t seem to be satisfied with the amount they were being paid, delaying their flight to Brazil and forcing their federation to take out a loan that increased their salaries by $12,000.* Of course, each team’s salary choice is their decision considering FIFA allows individual salary caps for each nation. The same goes for the amount that each nation will pay its players for the amount of matches they play, whether or not they advance to the next round or if they actually win the tournament (the English Federation is set to pay their players almost $700,000 if they lift up the cup). The bottom line: it depends.* Needless to say, there won’t be a single player or official involved in the tournament who will be going home empty-handed (you know… money-wise).

Man defiles 4 year old girl, bags four years jail term

An Enugu High Court presided over by Justice Pearl Enejere on Wednesday sentenced one Emmanuel Nkemakolam to three years imprisonment for defiling a four-year old girl.* Enejere sentenced the accused after he admitted guilt to the charge and pleaded for leniency.* The state prosecutor, Mrs Ngozi Avah, told the court that the matter was reported to the police on July 29, 2012.* According to her, Nkemakolam, a resident of No. 7, Chief Nwotokwo Street, Emene, lured the little girl to his room on July 29 and defiled her.* “The little girl began crying and told her mother that her private part was paining her. She later pointed at the accused person for wounding her.* “The incident led to threats by his neighbours who later handed him over to the police after he accepted responsibility,” she said.* “During police investigation, it was discovered that Nkemakolam had defiled six little girls within the area which the accused did not denied.* “It was the recent one which happened on July 29 that brought him before the court,” Avah said.* The counsel to the accused, Mr Charles Umahi, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as he showed remorse for his actions.* The accused, however, told the court that he had engaged in the act for years now but had repented.* “I have regretted my action. My reason for confessing to the act is for the court to forgive me. From today onward, I promise to turn a new leaf,” he said.* The court sentenced the accused to three years imprisonment and recommended that he should be rehabilitated in a psychiatric hospital. (NAN)

Cameroon players fighting among themselves as they crash out of World Cup

It was a very sad game for the Cameroon players as the first African team exits the world cup. The Cameroonian team had a hefty defect in the hands of the Croatians who came with a hard game against them after they lost to host Brazil. The Cameroonian players couldn't stand it as they involved in silly blunders against their opponents and had they fought among themselves during the end of the game. It's now clear Cameroon is set to exit the world cup even as their last game result against Brazil won't count.

BIG SHOCK as defending champions Spain crash out of world cup losing to Chile 2-0

There's a BIG SHOCK in the footballing world as defending champions Spain who won the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in 2010 crash out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in a shocking and unexpected defeat to Chile whom many around the world have predicted Spain to win with ease.* There've been several shocking and suprising results in the group stage of the world cup. It's now certain that the world is waiting for a new champions as the former couldn't defend it for long as they crash out of the tournament in the group stage.* There has been other suprises like the case of Costa Rica beating the star team of Uruguay whom many also predicted to dominate and win the game. It has been a world cup of suprises. Are we still up for more? It's certain!

Another prominents demise: Arisekola Alao is dead

Billionaire businessman, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola-Alao, is dead.* He died on Wednesday in a London hospital after a long battle with prostate cancer.* He was 69.* His death, which came as a shock to most sympathizers, immediately threw Ibadan, the Oyo State capital into mourning. Arisekola-Alao was born on February 14, 1945 to the families of Alhaji Abdur Raheem Olatunbosun Olaniyan Alao and Alhaja Rabiatu Olatutu Abegbe Alao.* The parents were peasant farmers who hailed from Ajia in Ona – Ara Local government of Oyo State.* He attended St. Lukes School, Adigun, Ibadan and later ICC Primary School, Igosun, Ibadan, due to the persistent persuasion of one school teacher, Mr. J. O. Oladejo. This was because he never wanted to go to a secular school. The reason for this was because of his love for Islamic education, which he had been attending with absolute dedication since he was three years old.* He completed his primary school education in 1960 and applied to further his education in the secondary school. He applied to Christ School, Ado – Ekiti and Lagelu Grammar School, Ibadan. He defeated all-comers at Christ School and emerged third best candidate for Lagelu Grammar School. Unfortunately the economic impoverishment of the parents created an impediment for his pursuit of an academic career. However, whatever Arisekola lacks in formal education, he had abundantly in business: intelligence and honest pursuit of economic goals. Arisekola’s love for education led to the establishment of “Pa Raheem Alao scholarship foundation for indigent students of tertiary institutions.” The beneficiaries of this scholarship are paid monthly, per semester or annually.

paypal finally in nigeria

LONDON, June 16 (Reuters) - PayPal is entering 10 new countries this week, including Nigeria, providing online payment alternatives for consumers via mobile phones or PCs in markets often blighted by financial fraud. Rupert Keeley, the executive in charge of the EMEA region of PayPal, the payments unit of eBay Inc, said in an interview on Monday the expansion would bring the number of countries it serves to 203. Starting on Tuesday, consumers in Nigeria, which has 60 million users and has Africa's largest population, along with nine other markets in sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America will be able to make payments through PayPal. "PayPal has been going through a period of reinvention, refreshing many of its services to make them easier to use on mobile (phones), allowing us to expand into fast-developing markets," Keeley said. Once the services go live, customers in the 10 countries with access to the Web and a bank card authorised for Internet transactions will be able to register for a PayPal account and make payments to millions of sites worldwide. Initially, PayPal is only offering "send money" services for consumers to pay for goods and services at PayPal-enabled merchant sites while safeguarding their financial details. This is free to consumers and covered by fees it charges merchants. "We think we can give our sellers selling into this market a great deal of reassurance," said Keeley, a former regional banking executive with Standard Chartered Plc and senior executive with payment card company Visa Inc. PayPal does not yet cover peer-to-peer transactions, which allow consumers to send money to other consumers. It has not yet enabled local merchants in the new markets to receive payments, nor is it offering other forms of banking services, he said. A 2013 survey of 200 UK ecommerce sites by Visa's CyberSource unit estimated that 1.26 percent of online orders are fraudulent and that 85 percent of merchants expected fraud to increase or remain static last year. CyberSource also estimated that suspicion of fraudulent transactions result in 8.2 percent of online orders in Latin America being rejected by merchants, compared with 5.5 percent in Europe and 2.7 percent in the United States and Canada.*Such fraud can include ID theft, social engineering, phishing and automated harvesting of customer financial data via botnets, or networks of computers controlled by hackers. A total of 80 million Internet users stand to gain access to PayPal global services this week, including those in five European markets - Belarus, Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco and Montenegro, four in the African nations of Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Zimbabwe, as well as Paraguay. Internet usage figures are based on research by Euromonitor International. PayPal counts 148 million active accounts worldwide. Last week, MasterCard Inc, the world's second-largest debit and credit card company, and a PayPal rival in payment processing, said it was working with the Nigerian government on a pilot to overlay payment technology on a new national identity card. PayPal has operated in 190 markets since 2007 and added three countries - Egypt, Georgia and Serbia last year. Roughly a quarter of the $52 billion in payment volumes PayPal reported in the first quarter of 2014 were for cross-border transactions. PayPal reported $1.8 billion in revenue during the period. (Reporting by Eric Auchard; editing by Jason Neely)

34 year old man charged to court for biting woman’s breast

A 34-year-old man, Uche Afokaigbo, who allegedly bit a woman’s breast, was on Monday brought before an Itire Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.* Afokaigbo, who resides at No. 20, Enoma St., Ago-Palace Way, Ago-Okota, Lagos is facing a one-count charge of assault.* The prosecutor, Insp. Olakunle Shonibare, told the court that the accused had on May 12, attacked one Kemi Oluwaja of the same address by viciously biting her on the breast.* He added that a fight broke out between the wife of the accused and the complainant, Oluwaja, over a stove burner, which consequently led to the intervention of the accused.* Shonibare said the accused bit the complainant on her breast, after which he snatched the stove burner from her. The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.* The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.* The Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Gbajumo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.* She adjourned the case till June 23, for trial. (NAN)

34 year old man charged to court for biting woman’s breast

A 34-year-old man, Uche Afokaigbo, who allegedly bit a woman’s breast, was on Monday brought before an Itire Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.* Afokaigbo, who resides at No. 20, Enoma St., Ago-Palace Way, Ago-Okota, Lagos is facing a one-count charge of assault.* The prosecutor, Insp. Olakunle Shonibare, told the court that the accused had on May 12, attacked one Kemi Oluwaja of the same address by viciously biting her on the breast.* He added that a fight broke out between the wife of the accused and the complainant, Oluwaja, over a stove burner, which consequently led to the intervention of the accused.* Shonibare said the accused bit the complainant on her breast, after which he snatched the stove burner from her. The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.* The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.* The Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Gbajumo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.* She adjourned the case till June 23, for trial. (NAN)

Two timed bombs found at Winners Church in Owerri, 6 arrested

The Commissioner of Police in Imo, Mr. Abdulmajid Ali, said on Sunday in Owerri, that six persons had been arrested in connection with two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted at the Living Faith Church (a.k.a. Winners’Chapel). Ali, who spoke to newsmen at the church premises along Port Harcourt Road Owerri, said the `two timed bombs’ were planted at the church premises by unknown persons.* According to him, the command was alerted about the strange objects in the church compound.* “We were alerted that some devices were seen in the church and immediately we deployed our anti-bomb squad.* “We are happy that the squad immediately detonated the bomb on arrival and six persons have been arrested so far,” he said.* Ali said the command would do everything possible to unravel the perpetrators of the act.* He urged the people to go about their normal activities as the two IEDs have been detonated. Also speaking, Brigade Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, Brig.-Gen. Lanre Bello, confirmed that the explosives were capable of killing many people at a time.

Indian woman gang-raped, forced to drink urine

Indian police said that investigation has revealed that the 30-year-old woman, who was allegedly gang-raped by at least six persons, including her estranged husband, was forced to drink urine in a village in central India.* Manoj Sharma, District Superintendent of Police said on Sunday in New Delhi, that the incident happened on Tuesday in Khandwa District of Madhya Pradesh state. “The case is reported to police on Friday, after her family members brought her to Khandwa District Hospital,” he said. He said acting on the complaint, police on Saturday arrested all that were involved in the gang rape, including the victim’s husband, relatives and other villagers.* Sharma said the husband reportedly called her to his farm to discuss the dispute, but when she arrived, a group of men beat her up, raped her and paraded her naked through the village, all in the presence of her son.* He said when she asked for water, the men urinated on her face and forced her to drink it.

For Fathers that worth it, Happy Fathers Day!

Today's a day to celebrate fathers that know their worth. Fathers that have proved their worth, taken charge of their due responsibilities and built a better world by being a father not just by name. Happy Fathers Day to all Fathers not just bearing the name but to Fathers. Happy Fathers Day!

Pastors rape 12 year old girl and married woman

An Ekiadolor Magistrate Court sitting at Ekiadolor has sentenced one Pastor Uwen Friday to five years imprisonment for defiling a 12- year- old girl.* Pastor Uwen was said to have forcefully raped the victim at a farm in Okokhuo village, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.* The incident resulted in a five months pregnancy for the girl. Pastor Uwen was arraigned on a one count charge of unlawful sexual intercourse.* He pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.* The Presiding Magistrate, F.I Oghoator, in her judgment sentenced Pastor Uwen to five years imprisonment with hard labour without an option of fine.* Another pastor, Samson Odeyemi, was also arraigned at an Iguobazuwa Magistrate Court for raping a married woman.* Police Prosecutor, Again James told the court that the offence was committed on May 14 when the pastor took the victim to a river for spiritual cleansing.* The victim was said to have gone to the pastor to seek healing because she was having spiritual attacks.* Pastor Odeyemi reportedly asked the victim to pull her clothes and thereafter forcefully raped her.

Spain versus Netherland match, New FIFA record broken

A new FIFA record has been broken as the Spanish team go against the Netherlands in a group game in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Both teams were finalists in the FIFA World Cup in 2010 staged in South Africa which the Spanish team cliched. It's a new record broken as the Spanish team and the Netherlands play in a group stage after they played in the finals of the previous world cup. This gonna go a long way in history of the FIFA World Cup.

Sad News: Kefee is dead!

Kefee Obareki Don Momoh is dead.* She passed away this morning at the US hospital where she was taken to after she collapsed and went into a coma.* The singer, who was reportedly pregnant, fell into a coma while on a flight to Chicago, in the United States of America, where she was working, making videos amongst other things.* The plane was forced make an emergency landing and she was rushed into the Intensive Care Unit of an hospital in Los Angeles.* Sources close to the family confirmed to Channels Television that the ‘Kokoroko’ crooner had passed on, although there is yet to be an official release.* Fans and other celebrities have however taken to social media to pay tribute and condole with the family. Her international manager Adleen has confirmed her passing and Kefee’s husband also confirmed to a Star FM staff, where he works.

Man defiles 13 years old girl in Jos

A middle aged man identified as Emeka, aka Baba Victor, escaped death yesterday morning as he was almost lynched by neighbours for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old primary five pupil (names withheld) in the neighbourhood.* The said Emeka, a resident of Chief Mailumo Sambo Close, Jos, Jarawa village, according to the victim had slept with her severally with the first incident taking place sometime last year after which he gave her N100.* The latest incident occurred at about 6.30 am yesterday when neighbours caught the man in the act. This attracted residents, mostly women, who wanted to lynch him. One of the neighbours, Mama Blessing, toldVanguard: “There has been rumours about Baba Victor sleeping with that girl because she is always playing in his room. No one could confirm it until today.* “I have lived here for more than 20 years. Baba Victor has five children, four in their 20s but the wicked man sent the wife and children to their village in the East and lives here alone.” The neighbour added that the suspect was “up to something because he has older girl friends, some even come from Bukuru to see him. What does he want with this small girl?” Though the neighbours claimed the act must have been done more than twice, but the victim said: “This is the second time he is sleeping with me. The first time was sometime last year and he gave me N100.”* How the act started When asked why she did not report the incident and why she was not in school, she said: “I attend an Islamic school and we don’t go very early. I used to go to his compound to play with my friend who is living there.* “That day, I wanted to shout but he said I should not and that he will give me money. I did not remember to tell my parents. This morning, I went to my friend’s place and he called me and started sleeping with me again before people came and saw us.” However, immediately the incident was uncovered, the suspect pushed the girl outside and locked himself in. Before the aggrieved neighbours could break the door, a passer-by had notified the security agencies and it took the combined efforts of Policemen from Nasarawa Gwong Division and STF members attached to Sector Two for the man to be whisked away.* The neighbours equally suspect the victim may not be the only girl in such situation as the suspect was in the habit of giving between N30 and N50 to girl children.

Son kills 86 years old dad over piece of land

An Ebute‑Meta Chief magistrate’s court in Lagos, yesterday , remanded a man, Yusuf Akinbiyi, 41, at the Ikoyi Prisons for allegedly killing his father, Agboola Akinbiyi, 86.* The accused, who resides at Madon village, Ijede Ikorodu, Lagos, is facing a one‑count charge of murder.* The magistrate, Miss A.O. Komolafe, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.* The court did not take the plea of the accused.* The prosecutor, Inspector Frank Inah, said the crime was committed on May 21 at about 11.05 p.m. at the deceased’s residence.* Inah said the deceased and the accused lived together, adding that the deceased had provided for the accused as he was jobless.* He said: “The accused wanted to sell his father’s land to enable him travel out of the country, but his father held on to the documents.* “The accused and the deceased had an argument during which the accused beat the deceased with his hands and covered his mouth and nostrils with pillow.”* He said this made the accused to suffocate to death, adding that the accused was later arrested by the Police. Inah said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital mortuary for autopsy. The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.* Komolafe adjourned the case till August 11 for mention.

Man, 38, arrested with fresh human head in Lagos

Policemen attached to Orile division, Lagos have arrested a 38-year‑old man for allegedly being in possession of a fresh human head.* The suspect, identified as Mustapha Bakare was arrested, Tuesday evening, around White Sands by a team of anti‑robbery policemen on patrol. Bakare was reportedly sighted with a polythene bag and was stopped for a search. Rather than comply, he reportedly took to his heels, holding firm to the polythene bag, an action that was said to have aroused suspicion.* The policemen reportedly chased and apprehended him. When asked to disclose the contents of the bag, he hesitated.* Confirming the arrest, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, said when the bag was eventually searched, a fresh human head was discovered.* According to Braide, “The Police team that arrested the suspect was led by Inspector Bernard Oyinlade while they were conducting a stop-and-search operation near White Sands area of Orile.* “The team stopped the man who resides at 63B, Church Street, Ijora Badia, while he was walking along the road with a polythene bag. They immediately called for a search but he took to his heels. He was pursued and subsequently arrested and during search, a fresh human head was found inside the bag.* “The suspect is undergoing interrogation and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department, Panti, Yaba for further investigation.”

Super Eagles losing to the U.S is an advantage

The Super Eagles of Nigeria losing to the U.S.A team today might seem as a shock to many today. The Super Eagles loss against the U.S.A 2 -1 in a game Nigeria barely impressed. Nigeria only played a nice game in the first few minutes of the first half. Our slow pace game later did bad for us as the United States team always out ran our team each time they got the ball.* Many critics have expressed their disappointment in the eagles as they've lost hope in the eagles performance in the world cup. Many no longer believe the team can do well.* But it seems many Nigerians have forgotten that this might be an advantage for the eagles even as they used same mood to venture into the 2013 AFCON which they later won to the suprise of many Nigerian fans who don't believe in the team.* Super eagles losing to the United States would ease the pressure from the eagles team and enable them to concentrate well even as keep a cool head to take off their games.

Ex-CBN Governor Sanusi named new Emir of Kano

The Kano State Government has confirmed former Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the new Emir of Kano. Secretary to the State Government, Dr Rabiu Bichi announced the decision on Sunday afternoon.

Echiejile ruled out of world cup due to injury

Nigeria's left back defender, Elderson Echiejile is to miss out of the world cup as the Super Eagles medical team confirm him to be fit after three weeks.* The Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has confirmed it as the team can't that far in the world cup for the left back defender to be fit. He's to be replaced as early as possible before the world cup kick off.

Dora Akunyili Is Dead

Former Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and ex minister of Information, Professor Dora Akunyili, has died according to a family source.* Dr. Akunyili died in an India Hospital where she has been receiving treatment for an ailment that wasn't made known. She was aged 59.

Masterminds of Kano motor park bomb blast arrested

Kano State Police Command yesterday announced the arrest of some suspected insurgents behind last year’s luxury bus park bomb blast in Kano in which scores of travellers and transporters died.* The bomb blasts, which occurred in March 2013, razed down several luxury buses and destroyed property worth millions of naira.* The state Police Commissioner, Alhaji Adenrele Shinaba, told journalists that the police had made reasonable breakthrough, adding: “Some suspects are in our custody and some exhibits have been recovered.”* The commissioner, who said investigation was in top gear, however, declined to shed more light on the identity of the suspects and the number of arrests made, saying any further disclosure on the development could jeopardise investigation.* He stated that the fact that some of the suspects were arrested a year after the crime was committed, indicated that the police would not rest until they ensured a crime-free Kano State, adding that much was being done about the recent blast that exploded along Middle Road by Gold Coast, in the city.* He also announced the recovery of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at Medile Quarters in Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state, based on a tip-off from members of the public.* Alhaji Adenrele said they recovered three fabricated turkey oil containers with electric components built to detonate by remote control, 12 improvised explosives fabricated in an air conditioner coolants and can of drinks specifically made to function as hand grenade, two IED fabricated fire extinguisher container built with electronic switch, four pieces of tear gas cartridges and two cylinders* He said it was the grace of God that saved the security personnel that went to the building, adding that the bombs were already primed and set for explosion.* The commissioner held that when the detectives and operatives of the Explosive Ordinance Department of the Police got to the location, the suspects were away and so far, had not shown up, despite long surveillance on the building.* He appreciated the public for their timely information to security personnel while urging them to continue to pray in churches and mosques for the peace, tranquility and progress of the state and the nation in general.

Jonathan appoints new political adviser, SSA

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Thursday appointed Prof. Rufa’i Alkali as his new Special Adviser on Political Affairs.* The President also picked Hajia Baraka Sani as his Senior Special Assistant for Schools’ Agriculture Programme.* Prof. Alkali, a Political Scientist, according to a statement issued by the President’s media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, once served as National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, and was appointed Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna, last year.* He hails from Gombe State.* While Sani was a former commissioner for Agriculture in Kano State.* Both appointments take immediate effect.

Bayo Awosanya, The Notorious Wife-Beater Politician In Ogun State, Denies His Actions In Court

Mr. Bayo Awosanya, who was initially pleading with his wife to save his political career by accepting compensations and talking the domestic assault over, has decided to tell lies in court, after all.* Mr. Bayo Awosanya said in court that the wife “fell from the stairs, all by herself.” And in a manner that revealed a new conspiracy to turndown justice in favor of him, the magistrate nullified the photo evidence of the attack, and asked for provision of witnesses to testify.* The magistrate in this case, O.O. Ojo, also threatened the complainant to close the case, just as families of Mr. Bayo Awosanya had threatened her to do.* Relatives of the victim, Mrs. Victoria Awosanya, said they were “not surprised” at the sudden turn of events. Few days to court date, her relatives said, the in-laws, including Bayo Awosanya's father, had promised “she would regret the outcome” they had prepared for her at court.* A family source speaking to SaharaReporters on the condition of anonymity, said the event in court was “confirmation of the in-law's threat.” The magistrate refused key evidence, threatening to throw out the case should she not provide (the) persons who witnessed the torture.* Their only possible witness, Mr. Bayo's gatekeeper, who rescued the wife from the politician on day of the torture, has suddenly been replaced by him, just a few days to attending court.* The replacement witness of his gate keeper is suspected to be part of a “gimmick to smooth-out” a plan to hide key evidence, and escape justice.* The victim had said Mr. Bayo Awosanya is in the habit of beating women, a behavior she said she no longer could cope with. She said it was a similar incident that made Mr. Bayo Awosanya's previous women to leave him. She said she thought he would change when she finally agreed to marry him.* Sources who know about the activities of Mr. Bayo Awosanya, had said he has been working to ensure his wife “regrets not accepting compensation for the assault.” One source suggested he must have “reached out to the magistrate” in the case to compromise justice, and by doing so, to frustrate the case.* Magistrate O.O. Ojo adjourned the case to the June 21st , by when he expects the complainant to have either found a witness, or opt out of the case altogether.

20 insurgents arrested by villagers in Borno

At least two persons were reportedly killed in Mbulakudla village of Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State at the early hour of Wednesday by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect, while in retaliation, some brave young men of the area pursued the insurgents and arrested 20 of them.* The Chief of the Community, Mallam Dawa Pogu, who spoke on phone to newsmen in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Wednesday, said if the people had not woken up and mobilised themselves to pursue the terrorists, all the villages would have been wiped out by the insurgents.* “We are thinking of the future of our children; they came, they kill and they left unchallenged. If we continue like this, there will be no village around our area in the nearest future. Everybody is running from one village to another village and when the other supposedly safe village is attacked, they run again to another village. For how long shall we continue running away from these criminals who have no respect for religion or tribe or region?” he asked.* According to Pogu, villages along the highway from Maiduguri to Askira/Uba have all been wiped out. Only few villages are still standing.”* “We have security but they cannot come to our aid because they too are humans and have their own problems that, they would not come to rescue villages that are being attacked. Unless government look into their problems and solve them, we will continue to have problems.”

New rocky planet much bigger than Earth discovered by astronomers

Astronomers have discovered a new type of rocky planet beyond the solar system that weighs more than 17 times as much as Earth while being just over twice the size, scientists said.* The so-called “mega-Earth” circles a very old star called Kepler-10, which is located about 560 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Draco.* Physicist Dimitar Sasselov, the Director of the Harvard Origins of Life Initiative, said the discovery, announced at the American Astronomical Society meeting in Boston, U.S., was a surprise since big planets were believed to be mostly gas, not solid rocky bodies like Earth or Mars.* Sasselov told reporters at a news conference in Boston, U.S. that the scientists do not yet understand how the planet, known as Kepler-10c, formed, with a diameter of about 18,000 miles (29,000 km), 2.3 times greater than Earth’s.* “A mega-Earth is a lot of solids concentrated in the same place without any gas. That is a problem because our understanding of how planets form requires the solids to get together in an environment where almost 99 per cent of the mass is hydrogen and helium,’’ he added.* He explained that smaller solid bodies like Earth or Mars, believed to form from leftover materials, take less time to pull themselves together, with longer incubation time. He added that large planets should gather up massive amounts of gas in the process – or so scientists thought.* “However the mega-Earths are formed, the discovery of another type of rocky world augurs well in the search for life beyond Earth,’’ Sasselov added.* He stressed that “as far as we know – and we know very little about origins of life – we think the emergence of life from geochemistry occurs on solid planets.’’* Related research shows that about 75 per cent of the planets found with NASA’s Kepler space telescope are less than four times Earth’s diameter.* In the solar system, there is nothing between the size of Earth, the largest rocky planet, and Neptune, the smallest gas giant with a diameter nearly four times Earth’s.* “We really want to know about these planets,” astronomer Lars Buchhave, with the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics, told reporters.

Ronaldo suffering from tendonitis

Cristiano Ronaldo is suffering from tendinosis in the region around his left kneecap, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said in a statement on Wednesday.* The injury may rule him out of his country’s World Cup opener against Germany on June 16.* The FPF said that the Real Madrid forward Ronaldo had undergone “specially adapted, individual” training on Monday but did not give any further details.* Ronaldo is training despite the injury and the FPF said he was working on building up his fitness at the New York Jets’ training centre on Tuesday. He is working alongside Raul Meireles and Beto, who are dealing with thigh and leg injuries respectively.* Ronaldo was able to work with the ball and Mais Futebol reported that he “appeared to be making progress.” The forward was also given a vote of confidence by team-mate Nani, who said Ronaldo was “going well” and is “relaxed” about his fitness troubles.* “We hope that Cristiano is in good enough shape to play and to help the team,” said Nani. “If for some reason he is not there, whoever is there playing has to be confident in their ability to get the job done.”* The World Player of the Year missed last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to Greece with what the FPF described as a left thigh injury.* Portugal is training near New York and face Mexico in a friendly in Boston on Friday. Ronaldo struggled with minor injuries during the closing weeks of Real’s season before playing 120 minutes in last month’s Champions League final against Atletico Madrid and scoring the final goal in their 4-1 win with a penalty.

Ghana witchdoctor claims Ronaldo injury

A traditional priest from Ghana has said that he is behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury problems, which “can never be cured by any medic”.* The Real Madrid and Portugal star is suffering from tendonitisand is set to miss out on his country’s pre-World Cup friendlies against Mexico and Ireland, though Nana Kwaku Bonsam, who describes himself as a traditional priest, has claimed responsibility for the Ballon d’Or winner’s plight, which he has claimed to be “spiritual”.* “I know what Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury is about, I’m working on him,” the witchdoctor told Ghanaian radio stationAngel FM.* “I am very serious about it. Last week, I went around looking for four dogs and I got them to be used in manufacturing a special spirit called ‘Kahwiri Kapam’.* “I said it four months ago that I will work on Cristiano Ronaldo and rule him out of the World Cup or at least prevent him from playing against Ghana and the best thing I can do is to keep him out though injury.* “This injury can never be cured by any medic, they can never see what is causing the injury because it is spiritual. Today, it is his knee, tomorrow it is thigh, next day it is something else.”* Ghana are due to play Portugal on June 26 in Brasilia, in what will be their final match of Group G, which also includes Germany and USA.

Branama Queen, Kefee Still In Coma

Popular Nigerian Gospel singer,Kefeeis still in a coma.* She collapsed mid air on an international flight to Chicago. The pilot was forced to alter his plane route and make an emergency landing in Los Angeles, to enable her receive life-saving medical attention.* Meanwhile, it was tweeted from her official account, thanking fans that she was okay, but new developments have given her fans more cause to worry.* Sources close to the couple have confirmed that the music star is in a coma and today, her husband Teddy Don-Mommoh has tweeted, calling on everyone to pray for his wife.* Kefee Obareki is honored with the prestigious UN award as Young Ambassador for Peace; she is endowed with a warm spirit, a tender and thankful heart and a desire for everyone she comes in contact with to have the same experience.* Born to Deacon and Mrs. Andrew Obareki in Sapele, Delta State. She started singing at an early age (8yrs) in the children choir, ever since, she has been transformed from one glory to another, She moved on to the adult choir when she was fifteen and at age eighteen she was made the choir Director.* Her most recent single, ‘Dem Go Talk‘ was released just a fortnight ago.* We cannot but pray for her quick recovery and become whole again!

World Cup: Rangers ‘unhappy’ with Uzoenyi, Mba’s exclusion

Enugu Rangers has expressed disappointment at the exclusion of Ejike Uzoenyi from Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.* The Flying Antelopes’ media officer, Foster Chime, told KickOffNigeria.com that he was surprised by the exclusion of Uzoenyi, who was voted the Most Valuable Player at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) held earlier in the year in South Africa, as well as Sunday Mba, the team’s ex-player, who was the hero of Nigeria’s 2013 Nations Cup winning side.* “I just heard this morning. I won’t say it’s unfortunate because Stephen Keshi has said before now that he knows by heart the squad he will take to Brazil. So maybe before now he had already made up his mind that both Ejike and Mba will not make the team,” Chime told KickOffNigeria.com on Tuesday morning.* He, however, cited the inclusion of Uche Nwofor and Michael Uchebo as a moral victory for the club, who had always produced players for the various national teams over the years.* “But it’s ok since Uchebo and Nwofor have made the team. Both of them are ex-Rangers players, and they went to Europe from here,” he added.* Chime insisted that he would have preferred if both Uzoenyi and Mba in the team as they would have added a creative flair to the team, which is seemingly lacking in the current selection.* He, however, stated that Keshi “knows how to succeed” and must have chosen a squad that fits his plans.* “The Chief Coach knows what he wants, and he knows how to succeed. So if he feels this is the squad that will give us success, then it’s ok. He’s the coach, he’s in charge.”

Suspected cult members ‘kill’ 15 in Imo

There was confusion yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, as suspected cult members killed over 15 people in broad daylight.* The suspected cult members, who were armed, according to an eyewitness, trailed their victims to parts of the city where they were gunned down or killed with axe.* The source said trouble began after a member of the Black Axe confraternity was allegedly killed by members of a rival cult group, the Buccaneers, who ambushed him in one of the popular hotels in Owerri.* He added: “The cult group, which lost its member, traced his suspected killers to Ekeonunwa market where about five people were killed in the presence of traders, who abandoned their goods.”* In another part of the city, the suspected cult members shot a man, who had just married. They cut him into pieces before they were driven away by armed policemen, who engaged them in a gun duel, which lasted for hours.* Police spokesman Andrew Enwerem said the number of casualties was yet to be confirmed.* He, however, said eight suspects have been arrested, adding that investigations are ongoing to nab others.

#CocoaNaChocolate: 1.2 million Africans Sign Petition in Support of ‘Cocoa Na Chocolate’ Campaign

Five months after the launch‘Do Agric, it Pays!’petition encouraging African leaders to make good on their promises to improve their investments in agriculture, One.orghas enlisted more than 1.2 million signatures to the online petition. A majority of these come from Nigeria. In April, ONE.org ambassador, Dbanj released the video ‘Cocoa Na Chocolate’ featuring 19 top African musicians in support of this campaign. The song, which also features Omawumi, Femi Kuti, Kunle Ayo and Dontom calls on Africans and leaders to use agriculture to create jobs and grow the economy. The hit collaboration as been well received by the public and judging by the number of signatures to the campaign, young Africans really support the message. In 2003, Nigeria promised to invest 10% of its budget in agriculture, but the budget currently sits at only 1.4%. Meanwhile, UN research shows that agric is 11 times more effective in combating poverty than other sectors such as mining and utilities. That is because 70% of Africans depend on it for their livelihoods. Well, on June 23 – 27, African leaders will reconvene in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea for the African Union Summit. We wait to see if our leaders will heed the call of the people and decide to invest more in agric. Above all, we are yet to see if the Nigerian government will make good on its promises, heed the call of our artistes and petition-signers, and increase its agric budget. Citizens can learn more and sign a petition in support of agriculture investment at www.one.org

Stephen Keshi releases his 23-man list for the 2014 World Cup

Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi has released his 23 man list for the 2014 World Cup starting in a few days. See below *Goalkeepers: *Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim *Defender:* Joseph Yobo, Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kenneth Omeruo, Efe Ambrose, *Midfielders:* John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Michael Uchebo, Reuben Gabriel *Forwards: *Osaze Odemwingie, Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Emmanuel Emenike, Babatunde Michael, Victor Moses, Uche Nwofor. The dropped players are; *Obinna Nsofor, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Daniel Akpeyi, Joel Obi, Sunday Mba, Nosa Igiebor and Ejike Uzoenyi*. The dropped players will remain in camp as the team will play Greece today in their second warm match to the world cup in Brazil.